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Personality Traits Are Associated with Research Misbehavior in Dutch Scientists: A Cross-Sectional Study

Joeri K. Tijdink · L.M. Bouter · Coosje Lisabet Sterre Veldkamp · Peter M. van de Ven · Jelte M. Wicherts · Yvo Michiel Smulders

114 citations0/0 files storedPLoS ONE

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Academic integrity and plagiarism Personality Traits and Psychology Academic Publishing and Open Access

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Personality influences decision making and ethical considerations. Its influence on the occurrence of research misbehavior has never been studied. This study aims to determine the association between personality traits and self-reported questionable research practices and research misconduct. We hypothesized that narcissistic, Machiavellianistic and psychopathic traits as well as self-esteem are associated with research misbehavior. METHODS: Included in this cross-sectional study design were 535 Dutch biomedical scientists (response rate 65%) from all hierarchical layers of 4 university medical centers in the Netherlands. We used validated personality questionnaires such as the Dark Triad (narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, the Publication Pressure Questionnaire (PPQ), and also demographic and job-specific characteristics to investigate the association of personality traits with a composite research misbehavior severity score. FINDINGS: Machiavellianism was positively associated (beta 1.28, CI 1.06-1.53) with self-reported research misbehavior, while narcissism, psychopathy and self-esteem were not. Exploratory analysis revealed that narcissism and research misconduct were more severe among persons in higher academic ranks (i.e., professors) (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively), and self-esteem scores and publication pressure were lower (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively) as compared to postgraduate PhD fellows. CONCLUSIONS: Machiavellianism may be a risk factor for research misbehaviour. Narcissism and research misbehaviour were more prevalent among biomedical scientists in higher academic positions. These results suggest that personality has an impact on research behavior and should be taken into account in fostering responsible conduct of research.

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References

1965Society and the Adolescent Self-Image 1970Studies in Machiavellianism 2000A Meta-Analysis of Response Rates in Web- or Internet-Based Surveys 2013Introducing the Short Dark Triad (SD3)2009How Many Scientists Fabricate and Falsify Research? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Survey Data 2011A meta-analysis of the Dark Triad and work behavior: A social exchange perspective.1996Asking Sensitive Questions: The Impact of Data Collection Mode, Question Format, and Question Context 2005Scientists behaving badly

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2020The Process of Science: A Critical Evaluation of more than 15 Years of Research on Self-Compassion with the Self-Compassion Scale 2018Ethical Shades of Gray: International Frequency of Scientific Misconduct and Questionable Research Practices in Health Professions Education 2019Reasons for article retraction in anesthesiology: a comprehensive analysis 2019Factors associated with scientific misconduct and questionable research practices in health professions education 2020Moral Rationalization Contributes More Strongly to Escalation of Unethical Behavior Among Low Moral Identifiers Than Among High Moral Identifiers

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